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Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated appearance at the Super Bowl saw her down a beer on the big screen as she celebrated her boyfriend’s victory.

The singer was repeatedly shown on the big screens of Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and the cameras caught her winning what appeared to be a beer-chugging contest, prompting cheers through the stadium.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The Chiefs won 25-22. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Pic: AP

The 14-time Grammy winner cuddled with Blake Lively during Post Malone’s performance of America The Beautiful after she flew halfway around the world to see her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his team the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chiefs beat the 49ers 25-22 in overtime.

Taylor Swift. Pic: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
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Pic: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Taylor Swift cheers during the first quarter of the Super Bowl. Pic: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
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Pic: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Taylor Swift reacts during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Swift flew halfway around the world to see Travis Kelce and his team play. Pic: AP

Travis Kelce. Pic: AP
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Travis Kelce. Pic: AP

Swift made it to the stadium after flying on a private plane across nine time zones from the last of four shows at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, with self-proclaimed Swifties across the globe speculating about the potential strain on her schedule for weeks.

The singer has been criticised for her use of private jets by climate activists and appears to have sold one of her two personal planes over a dispute with a student who had been tracking her flights.

The 34-year-old and Kelce have been dating since around September 2023.

Elsewhere, the “Queen of Country” Reba McEntire sang The Star-Spangled Banner before kickoff, while Andra Day sang Lift Every Voice And Sing, a song that has become known as the black national anthem.

Usher and Lil John perform together. Pic: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
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Usher and Lil John perform together. Pic: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Usher performs alongside Ludacris. Pic: Reuters
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Usher performs alongside Ludacris. Pic: Reuters

Usher put on a halftime show marked by impressive choreography and several guest appearances.

He performed a 13-minute set starting with Caught Up and moving on to other big hits, including U Don’t Have To Call and Love In The Club.

Usher and Alicia Keys. Pic: Mark J Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
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Usher and Alicia Keys. Pic: Mark J Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Usher and Alicia Keys during the halftime show. Pic: Reuters
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Usher and Alicia Keys during the halftime show. Pic: Reuters

Usher performs with Alicia Keys. Pic: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
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Usher performs with Alicia Keys. Pic: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Alicia Keys joined him in front of a red piano resembling an abstract sculpture for her song If I Ain’t Got You, which morphed into My Boo.

Usher also brought out several other guests including HER and Jermaine Dupri, with Lil Jon joining for Turn Down For What and Yeah!, with Ludacris putting in a guest appearance.

Adverts during the Super Bowl also saw Beyonce tease a new album, with her ad for Verizon ending with the superstar saying: “They ready, drop the new music.”

Later, a cryptic Instagram video appeared on her page teasing Act II – her previous album Renaissance is frequently referred to as Act I: Renaissance – and she released two new country tracks.

She was joined at the Super Bowl with her husband Jay Z and their children Blue Ivy and Rumi.

Rumi Carter, from left, Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter walks on the sidelines before the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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Rumi Carter, Jay Z and Blue Ivy Carter. Pic: AP

But they were not the only celebrities at the big game.

Swift’s long-standing nemesis Kanye West, as well as fellow musicians Lana Del Ray, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga were in the stands.

Kanye West, left and, Bianca Censori arrive during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark Von Holden)
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Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori. Pic: AP

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Singer-songwriter Lana Del Ray watches during the first half of Super Bowl LVIII between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Lana Del Ray. Pic: Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Recording artist Justin Bieber watches play during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVIII between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Justin Bieber. Pic: Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Recording artist Lady Gaga looks on during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Lady Gaga. Pic: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Post Malone performed at the game, while Swift and Paul McCartney were pictured speaking in her suite.

Post Malone performs "America the Beautiful" before the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
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Post Malone performs before the Super Bowl. Pic: AP

Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift during Super Bowl LVIII
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Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift during Super Bowl LVIII

Actors Paul Rudd and Jeff Goldblum, basketball star LeBron James and X boss Elon Musk were also at the hotly anticipated game.

Paul Rudd ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Picture date: Sunday February 11, 2024.
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Paul Rudd. Pic: PA

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Actor Jeff Goldbloom reacts during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Jeff Goldblum. Pic: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NBA player LeBron James looks on during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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LeBron James. Pic: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Elon Musk watches action during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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Elon Musk. Pic: AP

And Apple’s Tim Cook and chef Gordon Ramsay were spotted in suites in the Las Vegas stadium.

Tim Cook, Managing director of Apple, ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Picture date: Sunday February 11, 2024.
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Tim Cook, managing director of Apple. Pic: PA

Football - NFL - Super Bowl LVIII - Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers - Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - February 11, 2024 Chef Gordon Ramsay is pictured in the stadiun before the game REUTERS/Carlos Barria
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Gordon Ramsay. Pic: Reuters

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Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, dies at 73

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Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, dies at 73

Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of The Osmonds, has died aged 73.

The singer, who rose to fame alongside his siblings including Donny, Jimmy and Marie Osmond, died on New Year’s Day with his wife and five children by his side after suffering a stroke, family members said in posts on social media.

“His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world,” a family statement said.

“He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”

Donny Osmond, 67, paid tribute to his “dear brother” and said he was grateful to have seen him in hospital before his death.

“Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me,” he said. “He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”

American band 'The Osmonds' from left Merrill, Jimmy, Donny, Alan, Marie, Jay and Wayne pose for photographers at a media event in London, Thursday, May 29, 2008. The Osmonds are currently on a tour of the UK. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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The Osmonds in 2008 (L-R): Merrill, Jimmy, Donny, Alan, Marie, Jay and Wayne. Pic: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth


Born in Ogden, Utah, Wayne Osmond was the fourth of nine siblings. The two oldest Osmond brothers, Virl and Tom, were both born with hearing problems.

The family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Wayne’s musical career started when he was just a boy, when he formed a barbershop quartet with three of his brothers, Alan, Merrill and Jay. They were later joined by younger siblings Donny and Jimmy and became household names in the 1970s, with hits including One Bad Apple, Crazy Horses, and Love Me For A Reason.

Sister Marie also rose to fame as a singer.

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Merrill and Jay Osmond were among the family members sharing tributes, with Merrill, 71, also saying he visited Wayne before his death.

“I’ve never known a man that had more humility,” Merrill said. “A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met…

“My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God.”

Jay, 69, said he had always “felt most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings” and that a “true legend” had left the world.

Wayne Osmond is survived by all of his siblings, as well as his wife Kathlyn and their children.

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It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni sues New York Times for libel over Blake Lively harassment allegations

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It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni sues New York Times for libel over Blake Lively harassment allegations

Actor and director Justin Baldoni has sued The New York Times newspaper for libel after it published allegations that he had sexually harassed and tried to smear the reputation of his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively.

The lawsuit, which seeks at least $250m (£199m) in damages, was the latest in a legal battle that has engulfed the two stars. Lively has filed a separate federal lawsuit against Baldoni and others alleging harassment.

The Baldoni lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday by the director, 40, and by other defendants named in the Lively lawsuit.

It accuses The New York Times of accepting a “self-serving narrative” by the actress, 37, who claimed Baldoni, production company Wayfarer Studios and others attempted to damage her reputation after she and her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, addressed “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behaviour” by the actor and a producer on the set of the film.

According to Lively’s complaint, the plan included a proposal to plant theories on online message boards, engineer a social media campaign and place news stories that are critical of her.

But Baldoni’s libel lawsuit claims The Times article, which was called ‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine, “disregard[s] an abundance of evidence” that contradicts Lively’s accusations.

Photo by: NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx 2024 8/6/24 Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the premiere of "It Ends With Us" on August 6, 2024 in New York City.
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Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds at the premiere of It Ends With Us. Pic: AP

The Times has defended its reporting and said it plans to “vigorously defend” against the lawsuit.

In a statement, it said: “The role of an independent news organisation is to follow the facts where they lead.

“Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article.”

Baldoni was dropped by his agency, WME, immediately after Lively filed her complaint and The Times published its story. The agency represents both Lively and Reynolds.

Bryan Freedman, a lawyer who represents Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives, previously called the accusations “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media”.

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Why is Blake Lively suing Justin Baldoni?

He said on Wednesday that The Times had “aided and abetted their own devastating PR smear campaign designed to revitalise Lively’s self-induced floundering public image and counter the organic groundswell of criticism amongst the online public”.

Lively is not a defendant in the libel lawsuit against the paper.

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In a statement, lawyers representing the actress said: “Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint, nor her federal complaint, filed earlier today.”

It Ends With Us, which is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel, was shrouded by speculation over discord between the lead pair at the time of its release in August.

Baldoni took a backseat in promoting the film while Lively took centre stage along with Reynolds, who was on the press circuit for Deadpool & Wolverine at the same time.

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Neil Young pulls out of Glastonbury over BBC ‘corporate control’

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Neil Young pulls out of Glastonbury over BBC 'corporate control'

Neil Young has announced he will not be performing at this year’s Glastonbury, saying he believes the BBC’s involvement in the popular festival means it is “now under corporate control”.

The 79-year-old musician wrote on his website that both he and his band, The Chrome Hearts, were pulling out because it was a “corporate turn-off”.

Glastonbury, which takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset in summer, has worked closely with the BBC since 1997.

The BBC is the festival’s exclusive broadcast partner.

Canadian-born Young had yet to be announced as an act at this year’s event.

Posting on Neil Young Archives, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer wrote: “The Chrome Hearts and I were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my all-time favourite outdoor gigs.

“We were told that BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in.

“It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.”

File photo dated 26/06/09 of Neil Young performing on the Pyramid Stage during the 2009 Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset. The Canadian-born singer-songwriter, 79, has announced he will not be playing at Glastonbury Festival this year as he believes the music event is "now under corporate control" of the BBC. Issue date: Thursday January 2, 2025.
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Young performing at Glastonbury in 2009. Pic: PA

Young, who headlined the famous Pyramid Stage in 2009, thanked fans for supporting both him and his band the last time they were at the festival.

He added: “We will not be playing Glastonbury on this tour because it is a corporate turn-off, and not for me like it used to be.

“Hope to see you at one of the other venues on the tour.”

Young, who is married to US actress Daryl Hannah, was booked to play Glastonbury in 1997 but pulled out after cutting his left index finger while making a ham sandwich.

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Following his headline performance in 2009, viewers were left disappointed when only a portion of his set was broadcast on the BBC.

In a statement at the time, the corporation said it had “spent the last couple of months” negotiating with Young’s management over what it could show on TV, radio and online.

The broadcaster added: “Neil Young’s career has been conducted on his own terms.

“Last night Neil’s management agreed to let TV and radio broadcast five songs as they watched and listened to his performance.

“They believe in the live event and retaining its mystery and that of their artist.

“They have decided to make one song available online over the weekend to give a flavour of his set. That’s Rockin’ In The Free World and that’s their decision.”

Glastonbury is one of the UK’s largest music festivals.

It is set to take place between 25 and 29 June, with Sir Rod Stewart booked for the Sunday teatime legend slot.

The BBC and Glastonbury Festival were contacted for comment.

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